Use of a cassette recorder for data collection in prehospital cardiac arrest research

The methods of obtaining data and assessing protocol compliance in prehospital research can present difficulties. The Norwalk Hospital Mobile Emergency Medical Service paramedics use a minicassette recorder carried in the monitor-defibrillator pack during their participation in a cardiac arrest study. The device is simple, inexpensive, and well accepted by the paramedics. With this recorder, the investigator is able to accurately identify when interventions occurred and the patients' response to therapy. The use of a minicassette recorder can facilitate data collection for prehospital research with minimal disruption for the paramedic providing care.